Kallan: The Switch is releasing on the 24th of April, 2020.

Read Chapter One here.

Kallan: The Switch Chapter Two

Two weeks later… 

Isla looked at her watch and lifted her brows in surprise. She couldn’t believe it was almost six in the evening. No wonder she was starving. She hadn’t eaten anything since five hours ago, and it had only been half a sandwich. This latest case she’d been working on turned out to be more complex than she’d anticipated.

Her laptop pinged with an incoming email, and she checked it. She frowned as she read her mother’s response to the man who’d come to see them yesterday. She made her way to the office next to hers.

Nadine, her mother and boss, smiled wryly. “You read my email to Carl Santos.”

“Yes. I know you already made your decision, but I really think we should take the case. It’s clear that Carl’s employer has been underpaying him for months. He’s never received overtime time pay even though he’s been regularly asked to work extra hours.”

Nadine shook her head. “I’d love to, but it’ll end up costing us. There was nothing in writing that Carl was asked to do overtime. His employer can simply claim that Carl had chosen to work those extra hours without their knowledge.”

“But Carl said that a few of his colleagues are prepared to talk to us. They’re apparently in the same boat. They’re being continually taken advantage of, and they want to lift the lid on the practices of their boss.”

“I know where you’re coming from, darling. But there’s not much there for us. We need to be smarter at selecting clients.”

Isla let out a loud sigh. Yes, as good business operators, they should be shrewd in who they worked with. But it frustrated her that most of the new clients who’d been approaching them were larger companies that wanted to win lawsuits brought against them by their employees. While their firm only represented those who were in the right, working against less-fortunate individuals who didn’t have deep pockets wasn’t at all inspiring for Isla.

Her phone beeped with a text message. She excused herself and went back to her office to check it. A grin spread across her face. Julius Keegan wanted to know if she wanted to buy his dining table. Of course! That table was solid wood and very well-made. There were quite a few scratches, though. Apparently, both Kallan and Kerrod had written on it with something sharp when they had been little. But if she sanded it back and re-stained it, it should look as good as new.

She sat in her chair and rang Julius straight away.

“Hello, Isla.”

“Hi, Julius. How are you?”

“Never better! So, I take it you’re interested in my dining table?”

“Yes, please. How much would you want for it?”

“Well…I have a figure in mind. But if you’re willing to take more of my stuff, I’m happy to make you a deal. The boys took down some things from the attic. Would you like to come and have a look at them?”

“Of course. I’d love to.” Truth was, she was running out of space in her extra-large, double garage, but Julius had very good pieces—old and tired, but of high quality.

“Could you come, say, this evening, if you have time?” Julius asked. “My real estate agent is bugging me to clear the space so they can take good photos for the ads. Apparently, it could mean thousands of dollars difference in the sale price if the place is, uh, much less cluttered.”

Isla smiled. “Of course. I could be there in half an hour.”

“Perfect! I’ll see you then.”

“See you, Julius.”

“More furniture for you to upcycle?” Nadine asked from Isla’s doorway.

Isla smiled ruefully. “Someone wants to sell me more of his unwanted stuff.”

Nadine sighed. “I know how much you want to help those girls from the shelter, but this hobby of yours is also taking up a lot of your time. I just want to ask, and please don’t take this the wrong way… Would you rather go part-time here? Then you can have more time to devote to your New Againcircle. Thing is, I really need a full-time person in your role. But if you want to go part-time, I can get another part-timer to fill the rest of the hours. It won’t be ideal, but it’ll give you time to decide what you really want for your future.”

Guilt hit Isla. She knew her mum needed her to focus more on helping her build the practice, but she had Felicity and the women staying at the nearby domestic violence victims’ shelter to think about too. The New Againworkshops were something they all looked forward to.

“You know I love working here with you, Mum. I want so much to help you grow this firm. But, right now, Felicity’s not yet ready to take over from me. She already helps in the sourcing of items and maintaining the online shop, but she’s not that confident doing workshops yet or approaching buyers for the finished pieces. Over time, she’ll be able to totally take over from me.”

“I know. I also need more of your time, is all,” Nadine said with resignation. “We’re getting busier, but we can’t afford another staff at this point.”

Isla slumped in her chair. This was a constant source of conflict. “Thanks for being understanding, Mum. I’ll find a way to make it work.”

“You’re still feeling guilty regarding Felicity,” Nadine declared. “She never blamed you for anything, you know.”

Isla’s eyes stung. “I know.” But she was still racked with guilt that she’d never noticed the horrendous abuse heaped on Felicity by her then-boyfriend, now ex. If Isla hadn’t seen one of the bruises on Felicity’s upper arm, her best friend would still have been living in fear of her monster ex.

Isla had been shocked and sickened by her discovery, which had happened only a week after her father’s death. Admittedly, helping Felicity leave her boyfriend and report him to the police had helped Isla focus her attention away from her grief.

Fortunately, Felicity’s bastard ex was now behind bars, his prison sentence taking into account his torching of Felicity’s car when he’d found out that Felicity had finally told someone how he’d treated her. Now, Felicity was thriving.

Isla couldn’t be more thrilled about Felicity’s progress. And seeing her and the other ladies from the shelter enjoy furniture revamping and letting the girls keep the profits from the pieces they’d worked on, made Isla feel she was doing something good on this earth.

But she also loved her mother and their practice. As a kid, she’d dreamt of representing those who couldn’t go toe-to-toe with powerful aggressors—a sentiment she’d seen her mother express for as long as she could remember. But with Morgan & Associates being only three years old, they were nowhere near able to pick and choose who to accept as clients. If they wanted to pay the bills and their mortgages, they had to take on cases that weren’t exactly inspiring. There simply wasn’t enough interest for their services at this stage, and Isla wanted to help Nadine grow out of this sooner rather than later. She’d never want to go part-time, if she could help it.

“I wish your dad was here,” Nadine whispered. “He was always good at showing another path we hadn’t noticed.”

Isla smiled, sharing an unspoken longing and sadness with her mum.

Nadine went back to her office, and Isla let tears fall.

Her dad’s death two years ago from a bullet not meant for him still haunted them both. Oscar had been accidentally shot while simply doing his job as a plumber. His customer at the time of the shooting had claimed that he was meant to be the target, not Oscar. But even up till now, the police didn’t have a suspect, much less a motive.

It grieved Nadine that Isla had been by Oscar’s side when he’d taken his last breath, while Nadine hadn’t made it in time. Taking a tissue from her drawer, Isla let her mind play back her last minutes with her father.

“Remember, Isla, never tell anyone that I told you how to contact the Indie Rebels,” Oscar said in a weak voice.

Isla nodded, fighting back tears. She feared her dad was getting delirious, because why else would he suddenly talk about the vigilante group who fancied themselves as crime-fighters? 

“I’m telling you this just in case, okay?” Oscar said. “But it’s an important just-in-case. There might come a time when the police might not be able to help you and your mother when you need them. If that time ever comes, you go and ask the Indie Rebels for help. Okay?”

“Okay. Is there a particular reason why you’re thinking of them right now?” she asked gently.

“I’ve been reading a lot about them after it was reported that they were responsible for catching that notorious criminal, Eugene Barker. Imagine how the police couldn’t even find the man, and those IRs caught him. And from my research, they help ordinary people in trouble. Remember that, okay?”

Isla opened her mouth to say that the police had refuted the claim of two teenage eyewitnesses that the Indie Rebels had been involved in catching Barker, but changed her mind. “Yes,” she answered instead. “But why were you researching them?”

“Just very interested in them,” Oscar said, his voice weaker. “I love you very much, sweetheart.”

“I love you very much too.”

“Tell your mum I love her very much.”

Tears cascaded down Isla’s cheeks as her father closed his eyes for the last time.

Isla stifled a sob, remembering her dad’s words. She’d done some research on the Indie Rebels—IRs to their fans—and three things had become clear. One, they were a powerful, privately funded, crime-fighting group. More than a few high-profile criminals were now in jail because of them. Two, they were unsanctioned by authorities. Regardless of what they’d done to rid Australia of some of the most wanted criminals, the police still didn’t want the public contacting them. And three, no one could name a single Indie Rebel. They remained mysterious heroes who wore all-black outfits from head to toe, including dark glasses even at nights. Their ability to keep their identities a secret was legendary.

She wasn’t convinced they could do more than what the police could, though.

She wiped her face and grabbed her handbag. She’d promised Julius she’d see him soon. “I have to leave now, Mum,” she called out. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay,” Nadine said.

She walked over to Nadine’s room then kissed her mother on the cheek. “Thanks. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight. See you tomorrow.”

Isla left the office, feeling guilty that she was leaving while her mother was still hard at work. She wasn’t a mere employee. She was going to be a partner in this firm—if they ever became big enough. But with her constantly taking an hour here and there to check out furniture, she wasn’t putting in the time required from someone in her position. She hated that.

But she also didn’t want to disappoint the ladies from the shelter. They’d indicated that her informal workshops, which the women themselves had called New Again, were their favourite, especially since they were able to earn extra income they sorely needed.

Isla had thought about asking others for help so she could free up her time. But if someone else took over, Felicity wouldn’t get the chance to head up New Again later on. And Isla had started this for her friend, first and foremost.

Argh, she had no idea how to resolve this. She had no choice but to continue with things as they were. Hopefully, she’d find an answer soon.

* * *

Isla looked around her large garage. Even with some unrestored pieces stacked on top of each other, there was little room to put anything more. They’d even resorted to doing the workshops on her driveway. Fortunately, with the garage situated at the back of her house, the driveway was long and private.

Was there anything else she and Felicity could move to make way for Julius’s big dining table?

Did the place look tidy enough for visitors?

“Hey, I can’t tell if you’re nervous or excited,” Felicity teased, the fringe of her shoulder-length brown hair covering her eyes as she carried a chair to a corner.

“I think I’m both,” Isla admitted.

Felicity chuckled. “Two hunky twins making a special delivery for you. Why wouldn’t you be both?”

“I do feel a little guilty that Julius practically ordered them to deliver the table as there’s no way you and I can carry such a heavy piece.”

“And Kallan is the one with the shorter hair?”

“No. Kerrod is apparently the one who usually sports shorter hair. But I don’t know if he’s had a haircut. If he hasn’t, it’s honestly hard to tell them apart.”

“Why did you cancel your date with Kerrod if you can’t even tell them apart?”

“Because I’m more attracted to Kallan,” Isla said with a sigh.

“You haven’t exactly told Kerrod that you don’t want to date him at all, have you? Instead of making the excuse?”

“No,” Isla said with a little whine. “I didn’t know what to tell him. I can’t very well say, ‘Sorry, Kerrod. I thought you were your brother. He’s the one I’m actually interested in.’ I don’t want him to feel insulted and hurt.”

“Yeah, I get you. I do find it funny that when you first met Kerrod, you thought Kallan just forgot that he’d bumped into you before,” Felicity said with a laugh.

“I know! Don’t get me wrong. Kerrod is a nice guy, but there’s just something missing with him. I guess I just have more chemistry with Kallan. Even when I opened the door for him at Julius’s place, I felt that sizzle again. Straight away! It was pretty special.”

“Do you think Kerrod will ask you out again?”

“I really hope not. You know, I think he warned Kallan off me. After he said something to Kallan in Julius’s kitchen, Kallan wasn’t as friendly.”

“I guess it’s some sort of bro code. Kerrod asked you out first, so Kallan has to get out of his way.”

Isla made a face. “I don’t think I’d want to be the cause of a fight between the brothers, so I guess I also have to make sure I don’t flirt with Kallan. I just really hope Kerrod backs off, too, or it would be real awkward.”

“Such a pity. Maybe the brothers will sort it out themselves so Kallan can eventually date you.”

She scoffed. “I’m not gonna hold my breath.”

“Do you think Kallan’s a good guy?” Felicity asked, suddenly serious.

She shrugged. “I don’t know him well enough.”

“You deserve someone who won’t lie to you over and over to hide his bad side.”

Isla smiled wryly. She and Felicity both wanted the opposite of what they’d experienced with their respective exes. Isla’s ex had lied multiple times to her to hide his drug habit. When she’d found out, the idiot had had the nerve to say that he hadn’t told her because she was a bland, boring woman who didn’t know the difference between simply having a good time and being addicted. She’d tried to help him, but he’d resented any assistance on her part. In fact, their relationship had become so problematic that she hadn’t noticed the other things that had been going on around her—like how Felicity had been having a horrendous time with her abusive ex.

She shook her head. Never again. Next time, she’d ensure that her new partner valued openness and honesty. And she’d promised that she’d be the first to embody those traits.

The sound of a truck’s engine reached their ears, and Isla went to the top of the driveway. The brothers were in the front seats, one of them driving. And, no, Kerrod hadn’t had a haircut. So which one was Kallan?

The twin sitting on the passenger side of the truck got out first. “Hi. We’ve come bearing gifts.”

Isla let out a laugh, trying to identify which one he was. “Thank you. I really appreciate you guys delivering the furniture.”

“Dad didn’t give us an option. He wanted them out of his place today.”

“Hi,” said the other brother as he approached her.

Isla’s heart started racing. There was something about the warmth of this guy’s gaze that reminded her of Kallan, so she said, “Hi, Kallan.”

“Whoa, you can tell us apart?” Kerrod said, sounding impressed. “It’s rare for someone who doesn’t know us well to be able to do that.”

“‘Course she can tell us apart,” Kallan said, grinning. “She only needs to identify the mature one.”

Kerrod clapped Kallan’s back with some force.

“And it’s so obvious you’re the baby,” Kallan continued with a laugh.

Isla grinned, pleased that she'd gotten it right. And, gosh, Kallan truly affected her like no other. But had Kerrod advised Kallan that their planned date had been cancelled?

She mentally shook herself. Unfortunately, in this case, she couldn’t make the first move on Kallan. And whether he’d ever ask her out in light of Kerrod’s interest in her remained to be seen.

She introduced Felicity to the twins, then Kallan went back to the truck to drive it closer to the garage.

Isla couldn’t help but watch Kallan as he moved about. My, he was strong. Yes, Kerrod too. The twins carried the heavy table by themselves, albeit with a lot of effort. Thankfully, the table fit perfectly in the space she’d allotted for it.

“We better run,” Kerrod said, checking his watch.

Kallan ran his hand on his father’s dining table. “Bye, table. I hope Isla finds you a nice family to spend the next chapter of your life with.”

Isla was touched. “I’m sorry you can’t keep it.”

Kallan smiled. “I’m glad it’s you who bought it. I’m sure you’ll treat it well.”

“It’s not a pet that’s being rehomed, Kallan,” Kerrod teased.

“Hey, it’s a family heirloom,” Kallan said. “Anyway, we do need to run.”

“Thanks again, guys,” Isla said. “I hope this wasn’t too much of a hassle for you.”

“Not at all,” Kallan assured her before turning to Felicity to say goodbye.

“See you later, Isla,” Kerrod said. “I’ll give you a call.”

She could only nod. It wasn’t the right time to let Kerrod know she wasn’t interested in going out with him anymore.

As for Kallan, well, he was now walking back to the truck. Fat chance that he’d call her, even for just a coffee. Kallan seemed to be giving Kerrod a clear path towards her.

She was very, very sorry about that.

#End of Chapter Two#

Want to continue reading? Kallan: The Switch will be releasing on the 24th of April, 2020.

You can get the book from the following stores:

Amazon | Apple iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo (Google Play link coming soon.)

Paperbacks can be ordered from:

Amazon